Box Score

WORCESTER, Mass. -- After dropping the opening set by a 25-14 margin, Clark University claimed the next three frames (25-15, 25-18, 25-21) to pick up the season-opening women's volleyball win over the University of New England on Thursday evening (Sep. 1) at Kneller Gymnasium.

Ana Mercado led the Cougars (1-0) with 13 kills, while Marina Ramos chipped in with 12 winners and 11 digs. Jackie Jiminez-Maldonado added nine kills, and Rachel Webb tallied 33 assists. Savannah Sanford had a match-high 14 digs.

The Nor'easters (0-1) closed the first session on a 10-2 run, and hit at a .385 clip during the set before the hosts rallied. Erika Sawicki posted 10 kills for UNE, and Bekah Mather contributed six along with a .462 hitting percentage. Kristen Falcinelli totaled 27 assists. Brittany Morrison and Katie Marsh each notched 12 digs.

Like its foe did in the 1st set, Clark used an 8-2 stretch to wrap up the next one. Big Blue led 8-4 and 12-8 in the 3rd, but seven straight points by the hosts turned things around. The visitors were up again (14-11) in the 4th, however eight of the ensuing 10 points went for the Cougars to reverse the cushion (19-16). UNE pulled it back to 21-20 before falling short.

The Nor'easters return home to face Lasell College on Saturday (1 p.m.).